Opening a Victorian bricked-up fireplace - advice for a newbie please!

Ader1

I see quite a few on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l2632.R3.TR12.TRC2.A0.H1.XOak+beam+&_nkw=oak+beam&_sacat=38219

Anything I should look out for?

PS I hope the OP doesn't mind me asking these questions. May be of interest to him/her too. Looking for ward to see the photos.

suisidevw

I'm 95% sure this was the seller. Mine is the natural oak. Great seller to deal with:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUSTIC-SOLID-OAK-BEAM-MANTLE-FLOATING-SHELF-FOR-WOOD-BURNER-SIZE-36-X-6-X-4-/131268266529?pt=UK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL&hash=item1e9032ca21

cyclonebri1

Not read all so forgive repetition, but don't do any thing untill you have chipped all the plaster off that frontage. It will be easier to see the construction, be it a lintel or brickarch.
Either way ensure you don't undermine this at the sides, leave full support. If there isn't a support then take as little brickwork as needed out from the level the lintel is needed and go either concrete, stone or oak to taste.
If you do use a wooden lintel there are regs to follow.